Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Double Vision: Ari Shavit
April 10, 2015 21 Nisan 5775 Vol. 95 | No. 30
This Week
by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel and KASEY DAVIS Staff Assistant, Schwalb Center Curious about what Israelis are thinking about the internal strife that has plagued the Jewish state? Interested to know how US-Israeli relations, as well as Israel’s ties with the Jewish American Diaspora are likely to be affected? Those questions and many more will be addressed in two upcoming lectures delivered by bestselling Israeli author, columnist and journalist Ari Shavit. These lectures are made possible thanks to the generosity of the Sokolof Family Foundation, Darlynn and Tom Fellman, and Debbi and Speedy Zweiback. The ADL is also providing support. Ari Shavit speaks with a modern voice about the realities of Israeli history and current life. Born in Rehovot, Israel, Shavit served as a paratrooper in the IDF and studied philosophy at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In the 1980s he wrote for the progressive weekly Koteret Rashit. In the early 1990s he was chairperson of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and in 1995 he joined the Israeli daily Haaretz, where he currently serves on the editorial board. Shavit is also a leading commentator on Israeli public televi-
CDC and Friedel celebrate Passover Page 6
A 40-year-old cookbook resurfaces Page 7
sion. He was a guest on Israeli News during last summer’s war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza (Operation Protective Edge) and appeared on CNN and other international television stations. Recently, HBO reached an agreement with Shavit to create a series based on his bestselling 2014 book, My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel. Shavit will arrive in Omaha on April 22 and his schedule that day includes a conversation with Temple Israel teens followed by his public presentation at 7 p.m., at which time he will deliver the keynote address ti-
tled Israel and American Jewry: Two Miracles Now Challenged. Speedy Zweiback, one of the event’s sponsors, expressed one of the goals of the program when he said: “[we hope to] provide Temple Israel with visiting scholars who inspire and sometimes even provoke us into being more thoughtful and engaged people of the Jewish faith.” The following day, Thursday April 23 at 7:30 p.m., Shavit will talk about My Promised Land: A Personal Journey Through the History of Israel. Part of the Jewish Community Center’s Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration,
this lecture will be held at the JCC theater. A reception, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, will follow afterwards. The lecture represents the sixth convocation of the annual Ruth and Phil Sokolof Lecture Series sponsored by the Sokolof Family Foundation and the UNO Schwalb Center. The Ruth and Phil Sokolof Lecture, established in 2009 by the Sokolof grandchildren, has brought a number of distinguished guests to Omaha. Past speakers include Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat (2013), Professor Continued on page 2
Eye on Israel welcomes Friedel students: two IDF soldiers Tomorrow’s Jewish leaders by MARK KIRCHHOFF The Center for Jewish Life Last year two “Lone Soldiers” from the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), Anat and Iris, joined our April “Eye on Israel” session and shared their personal experiences – especially those
In Boulder, new JCC marries goats and Judaism Page 12
world who want to educate their communities about Israel. SWU works through social media, videos, speakers, programs and conferences. The program for providing the opportunity for face-to-face meetings between Israeli soldiers and various
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
9 10 11
Next Week Summer Programs See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press
Eva and Lilly Phillips relating to Operation Protective Edge. They did so through “StandWithUs” (SWU), an international, non-profit Israel education organization that supports people around the
audiences in the USA is called “Israeli Soldiers’ Stories” and serves to put a human face to the IDF uniform. This coming Tuesday, April 14 from 11 a.m.-noon in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library, Community Shaliach, Eliad Eliyahu’s “Eye on Israel” session will again welcome two soldiers through this program, Matan and Hen. Midwest Campus Coordinator Assaf Grumberg will also accompany the soldiers. In addition to speaking at “Eye on Israel” on Tuesday, they will meet with the BBYO teens in the evening. On Wednesday at noon, Matan and Hen Continued on page 3
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Friedel Jewish Academy “I remember being sold on Friedel (Jewish Academy) when Mrs. (Diana) Zeman, the kindergarten teacher, pulled me aside and said she thought my child needed enrichment, and so she was considering options for keeping my daughter excited about learning and stimulated,” recalled Julie Phillips. “It was refreshing for me to not have to be fighting for what I thought was best for my child but to have a school that made that a priority and saw the individual needs of each child. My daughters experienced
the collective joy of living Jewishly everyday in a community of friends and teachers, celebrating holidays, festivals, Shabbat, Israel, their heritage, and the Jewish rhythm of their lives,” continued Phillips. They were “well prepared to enter into middle school and handle a rigorous curriculum and had the selfconfidence and sense of self that enabled them to do their best,” explained Philips as she described her daughters’ educational progression. “They remember those years so fondly that to this day, they stay in touch with their teachers. In fact, Continued on page 2
2 | The Jewish Press | April 10, 2015
Friedel students
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Continued from page 1 when Lilly,” now a junior at Stanford University, “was selected as the presidential scholar for the state of Nebraska when she was a high school senior, she... selected Denise Bennett, Friedel’s fifth-sixth grade instructor, as the “teacher who impacted her greatly... to accompany her to Washington, D.C. for the awards ceremony. Julie and Eric Phillips’ daughters, Lilly, 20, and Eva, two years younger and a freshman at the University of California-Berkeley, attended Friedel from kindergarten through sixth grade. During those years, Julie created and implemented an art program at Friedel. “Because of our family’s strong feelings of loyalty and love for the school, we stay involved to help the school in various ways.” l Jewish Aca e d de This year, our community celeie m Ariel and Rachel Shukert Fr brates the 50th anniversary of alternative to afternoon religious the adoption of Omaha school.” She described Friedel as a Hebrew Academy as the school “which forms a very positive school’s official corporate Jewish identity, and is small enough name. to foster individual interests such as Marty Shukert designed writing, public speaking, art and the school which moved friendships with Jewish kids from into its current home in the other backgrounds and synagogues.” Gordman Center in 1995. Cookie Katskee, who was the prinBoth he and his wife Aveva cipal at Friedel for about six years, were president of the Friedel added to the Friedel conversation, comBoard of Directors at different menting that “the heart of any communitimes. Their daughters, Rachel, ty or culture is in the strength and continunow 34, and Ariel, 30, are both ity of education. It’s essential for Jewish tradigraduates of the school. Rachel earned tions, customs and religion to be ‘handed down’ to a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting younger generations to maintain the strength and energy of from the Tisch School at New York University, is the author of books, several plays produced in New York City, the Omaha Jewish community. “History demonstrates that families of Jewish Omaha, at online and print media columns, and a television show, The Red Band Society, currently broadcasting on FOX. Ariel one time, lived closer, in smaller clusters, and Judaism was a attended Washington University in St. Louis where she part of every minute of the day,” noted the 37-year veteran of earned her BFA. She is an art director and graphic designer Omaha Public Schools. “As the community has spread out for an ad agency writing and producing television commer- across the city, it has become effortless to assimilate to other cials including one that aired during the Super Bowl. Both American traditions.” Nevertheless, “Friedel students are totally absorbed and young women live in Los Angeles with their husbands. Aveva Shukert observed that the school “is a wonderful educated in Judaism. They are proud of who they are and
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move with graceful ease throughout the Omaha community, maintaining their identity, keeping Jewish Omaha strong.” She has seen how well Friedel students can move into the public schools and become successful leaders. Friedel’s teachers are simply incredible, turning out amazing and successful individuals. Friedel students are the future and strength of tomorrow, noted Katskee. “Education in a Jewish home and Jewish school is paramount,” Katskee emphasized. As adults, Friedel students will know the importance of Judaism and maintain the current strength of the Jewish community. Successful Jewish adults will be the Omaha philanthropists of tomorrow.”
Ari Shavit Continued from page 1 Stephen Berk (2012), Rabbi Daniel Gordis (2011), author Dan Senor (2011) and Ambassador Martin Indyk (2009). The Sokolof Lecture Fund, managed by the University of Nebraska Foundation, was created to provide an opportunity for students, faculty, and the greater Omaha community to hear speakers from a variety of perspectives present a diverse range of topics related to Israel and Judaism. “The Sokolof-Javitch Family, the University of the Nebraska at Omaha Schwalb Center for Jewish and Israel Studies, and Temple Israel are delighted to join together to provide the Omaha community a chance once again to hear one of the foremost Israeli voices,” stated Schwalb Center Advisory Board member Gary Javitch. In addition, the UNO Schwalb Center founder Hannah Schwalb notes, “The two day events will be a rare opportunity for the entire Omaha community to learn from this highly regarded Israeli journalist and author.” Temple Israel Congregation and the UNO Schwalb Center invite you to join us for both Ari Shavit lectures. They are free and open to the public. For more information about this and other events please contact, Debbie Massarano dmassarano@tem pleisraelomaha.com at 402.556.6536 or Kasey Davis kaseydavis@ unomaha.edu at 402.554.3175.
Sheldon Bernstein In Memory of
Sheldon served as our Foundation Executive Director from 1992 to 1998 with dedication and compassion. May his memory be a blessing. From the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Board of Directors and Staff
It’s more than a donation.
t’s your legacy.
April 10, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 3
Yale Richards Professional Education Seminar by LINDA POLLARD Endowment Assistant/Staff Writer Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation The 2015 Yale Richards Professional Education Seminar will be held on Friday, May 1, at the Boys Town Conference Center. The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation is cosponsoring the event with Boys Town and the Union Bank & Trust Company. The seminar is geared toward attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, insurance professionals, and charitable planners. Featured at the seminar will be three nationally known speakers addressing the topics of IRA planning, estate planning, charitable giving tax planning and family legacy conversations. “We are expecting a full house for this year’s Yale Jere Doyle Richards Seminar,” said Howard N. Epstein, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. “We’ve lined up three dynamic speakers, all experts in their fields. The professional advisors will enhance their professional practices with the knowledge they will gain at this seminar, and others who attend should benefit for their own personal planning.” The presenting speakers are Jeremiah W. Doyle IV, Steven G. Siegel and Dr. Eric Weiner. Jeremiah W. Doyle IV will talk about IRA planning. He is an estate planning strategist for BNY Mellon Wealth Management and a senior vice president of BNY Mellon. Doyle is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and before the United States District Court, United States Court of Appeals (First Circuit) and the United States Tax Court. He has spoken at numerous professional education programs throughout the country on various topics, has been quoted in numerous business publications and has appeared on CNBC, MSNBC and CNN. Doyle provides wealthy individuals and families throughout the country with integrated wealth management advice on how to hold, manage and transfer their wealth in a tax efficient manner. Steven G. Siegel is president of The Siegel Group, which provides consulting services to attorneys, accountants, business owners, family offices and financial planners. Based in Morristown, New Jersey, the Group provides services throughout the United States. He is presently serving as an adjunct professor of law in the Graduate Tax Program (LLM) of the University of Alabama and has served as an adjunct professor of law at Seton Hall and Rutgers University law schools. Siegel will talk about charitable giving tax planning. Dr. Eric Weiner is a consultant, speaker, and therapist. He brings a variety of skills to his work with affluent clients and
advisors. His professional training includes a Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Kansas State University and academic appointments at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Michigan State University. His award-winning book, Words from the HEART: A Practical Guide to Writing an Ethical Will, is a tool that assists families in defin-
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ing what matters most in the inheritance preparation process. He will talk about using the ethical wills and family legacy conversations. John Atkins, Vice-President and Senior Trust Officer at Union Bank & Trust Company, is a member of the Yale Richards Professional Education Seminar advisory committee. “We encourage anyone who provides advice about estate planning and charitable giving to attend. They will come away with a wealth of information,” he said. “Also, each speaker provides a great outline that attendees can reference well into the future. Many of the attendees may ask questions during the seminar and even discuss specific problems they have encountered in their practice.” Yale Richards was a senior partner at the law firm of Marks, Clare and Richards, LLC and also served as counsel and Executive Director of the Milton S. & Corinne N. Livingston Foundation for 28 years. In recognition of Yale Richards’ valuable service to the Omaha Jewish community for over 50 years, the Livingston Foundation established the Yale Richards Professional Education Endowment Fund in 1998. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial support for periodic seminars for professional advisors and interested donors. The seminar is approved for Nebraska Continuing Education Credits for attorneys, accountants and life and health insurance professionals. Thanks to the support of the co-sponsors, the registration fee is only $100, which includes downloadable seminar materials, handouts and lunch. Seating is limited, so register as soon as possible. For more information or to register, call Laurie Peatrowsky at 402.334.6439, email her at lpeatrowsky@jew ishomaha.org, or register online at www.jfofoundation. org/events. Registrations are due April 20, 2015.
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Eye on Israel welcomes two IDF soldiers Continued from page 1 will speak at B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers. Students Supporting Israel will host them at the University of Nebraska Omaha at 4 p.m. on the same day. Eliad underscores the value of bringing these soldiers to Omaha when he said, “We often hear about the hundreds and thousands of people serving in the IDF. They are true professionals who protect the land they love. It is good that we remember that they are people with real feelings and Matan emotions, and bringing them here helps us appreciate even more what they are doing for Israel.” Matan was born in Israel but spent his first five years in the US while his mother served as a shlicha (the feminine name for shaliach) for the Jewish Agency for Israel. He is currently a third-year law student at Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel. Matan served as an officer and deputy company commander in the Givati Infantry Brigade in the IDF, commanding 95 soldiers and officers. He participated as a commander in operations against Hamas in 2006 and 2009 and helped to expose and shut down rockets Hamas fired at Israel’s southern communities. Hen is the StandWithUs Director of Israeli Education
and is a writer, blogger and social media activist. He is an Israeli of Tunisian and Iraqi descent. Hen served in a unit called COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories) for almost five years as an intermediary between the IDF and the Palestinian Authority, the UN, and the many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that work in the West Bank. In the 2015 conflict between Hamas and Israel, Hen was called to the reserves where he continued his work facilitating humanitarian activiHen ties of the UN and various NGOs throughout the Gaza Strip. Be sure to mark your calendar to attend the “Eye on Israel” session on April 14 from 11 a.m.-noon in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library to meet these two dedicated soldiers and to hear them share their stories and experiences in protecting and defending a country that means so much to so many around the world. “Eye on Israel” is offered through the Community Shaliach program, an offering of the Center for Jewish Life whose mission is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences. For additional information, please call 402.334.6463.
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Holocaust Commemorations
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Class of 2015 High School Seniors High School Seniors and Parents
We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 22, 2015. To be included, we need your graduation photo and the information below. You can also email the items to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.
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Name _________________________________________________________________________ _ Parent(s)’ Name(s) _________________________________________________________________________ _ Current High School _________________________________________________________________________ _ College you plan to attend _________________________________________________________________________ Send by May 1 to: The Jewish Press | 333 So. 132 St. | Omaha, NE 68154
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor When on Wednesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. the community comes together to remember the victims of the Shoah, younger members of our community will have completed their own Yom HaShoah related event. From 5:30 until 6:45 p.m., several activities are on the agenda, including a short speech by main presenter Michael Korenblit, himself a child of survivors. There will be round table discussions between local survivors and teens, and a kosher dinner prepared by Star Catering. Liz Feldstern, Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education, will coordinate the discussion groups, during which teens can interact with and ask questions of local survivors. “Michael Korenblit’s introduction speech will focus on his parents’ experiences and involvement with the U.S. Civil Rights
Movement,” Liz said, “and we will have a facilitator at each table. We are also providing discussion questions to the youth in advance.” Those questions focus on what survivors may remember from the Civil Rights era, and whether their knowledge of the Holocaust impacted their views of current civil rights issues. Teens will be able to exchange ideas about current events, and place them in a larger context. “One of the most important questions,” LIz said, “is how survivors hope their children and grandchildren will act. How does the next generation make an impact, and how do they carry on the survivors’ legacy?” The youth program will take place at Beth El Synagogue, and will include participants from all synagogues. Immediately following, the teens will join with the rest of the community in Beth El’s main sanctuary, where Michael Korenblit will deliver another speech.
State Holocaust Commemoration by MICHAEL BOEKSTAL President, Jewish Federation of Lincoln One of the many traditions Nebraska can be proud of, is the State Holocaust Commemoration, which will take place on April 12, in the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Lincoln, starting at 3 p.m. It was more than 35 years ago that Governor Bob Kerrey elevated the event from a handshake in his office to what it has become today - a public event that shines light on the horrific consequences of intolerance. As time progresses, there are less people who have experienced the Holocaust and can share their story with us as a warning. That’s why it becomes even more important that we teach our children and children’s children about the consequences of ideologies that see one group of people as superior and another group as inferior. As in previous years, the ceremony will include three winning poetry readings from 8th graders who have studied the Holocaust and musical contributions by the choir from Lincoln Southeast High School. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Ari
Kohen. He is the Schlesinger Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Forsythe Family Program on Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs (both at UNL), and he is the grandson of Holocaust survivors. Senator Adam Morfeld is this year’s Legislative Sponsor and will speak as well. The Commemoration is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Lincoln and the Institute for Holocaust Education, located in Omaha. For more information please contact: Paul Smith at PSmith@LPS.org or the Institute for Holocaust Education at info@ihene.org, 402.334.6576. About the IHE: The Institute for Holocaust Education is a non-profit organization located in Omaha and serving Nebraska and the surrounding states. The IHE’s mission to ensure that the tragedy and history of the Holocaust are remembered is met by providing educational resources, workshops, survivor testimony, and integrated arts programming to students, educators and the public.
Marriage PATTON-HANSEN Jennifer Patton and Lee Hanson were married on March 27 at 4:20 p.m., at Azul Sensatori Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The bride is the daughter of Linda Patton and Marcy and Joel Patton. She is the granddaughter of the late Mel and Genevieve Bornstein of Omaha, and the late Muriel Kamp of Palm Beach, FL. The bride graduated from the University of Illinois with a full swimming scholarship. She received her Masters from Benedictine
College and earned her second Masters from Concordia College. She works at Ivy Hill School in Arlington, IL. Her maid of honor was her sister, Michelle Patton. The groom is the son of Georgette and David Hanson of Door County, WI. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and works for Workiva. His best man was Mike Picard. After a honeymoon to Riviera Maya, Mexico, the couple will reside in Chicago.
April 10, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 5
Introducing the new Master Calendar by TAMMY JOHNSON Executive Assistant The Jewish Federation of Omaha is building a bridge to bring the Jewish community together. Months ago, a conversation started between the Rabbis and Presidents Committee and the Jewish Federation of Omaha. The purpose: to review the current community calendar. We were interested in building better relationships through improved communication between the synagogues, the Federation and its Agencies, and the Jewish community at large. In short, how could we improve the Community Calendar? Based on those conversations, the Jewish Federation of Omaha purchased a module to connect to its internal room booking system (EMS) called Master Calendar. The Jewish Federation of Omaha purchased six calendars, to be used by each of the synagogues, the Chabad Center, and the Jewish Federation and its Agencies. The Calendar Manager at each synagogue will be responsible for entering and managing their programming and events in Master Calendar. Each calendar will roll into one Master Calendar which will become the new community calendar for the Omaha Jewish community. We are excited by this new system and feel that it will improve the process of planning and preparing for programming and events. If you have any questions, please contact the Master Calendar Administrator, Tammy Johnson, at the Jewish Federation of Omaha at 402.334.6430 or tjohnson@jew ishomaha.org. You may also reach out to Misty Weidner at Temple Israel, Jeanie Nickels at Beth Israel, Margie Gutnick at Beth El and Britta Tollesfrud at the Chabad Center.
Births Jayme and Michael Buse of Minneapolis announced the Jan. 2 birth of their son, Hendrix George. His middle name is for his maternal great-grandfather, George Lerman Grandparents are Gayle and Carl Tichauer of Peoria, AZ, and Charlotte and Richard Buse of Omaha. Danielle Epstein Sherman and Andrew Sherman of Belmont, CA announce the Nov. 21 birth of their son, Michael Dillon. Grandparents are Helen and Tuffy Epstein and George and the late Nancy Sherman.
Bargain Buyway - April 24, 25 & 26, 2015 Coming April 24, 25 and 26, Bargain Buyway is a 300+ mile loop in scenic North Central Nebraska, with over 200 vendors offering new & used, large & small, something for everyone!
Jewish Federation of Omaha receives grant from Million Dollar Round Table
Jim Farber of Swartzbaugh-Farber & Associates, Inc., MDRT member and grant sponsor, left, Jan McCarthy; Jewish Family Service Yachad Program Coordinator; Avi Wolfson, Yachad and Ollie Webb member; Karen Gustafson, Jewish Family Service Executive Director; Aimee Addison, ARC Program Assistant; Amanda Clark, ARC Program Coordinator; Bianca Mata, Jewish Family Service Yachad Program Assistant; Lisa Salomon, Marilyn Zevitz and Jillian Salomon, Yachad and Ollie Webb members. by KAREN GUSTAFSON Executive Director, Jewish Family Service The MDRT Foundation has awarded a $5,000 Quality of Life grant to the Jewish Federation of Omaha/Jewish Family Service’s Yachad Program. The grant will help provide a collaborative fitness program for the Developmentally Disabled in the Omaha community. Through its global grants, the MDRT Foundation is committed to building stronger families and communities around the globe. This year, the MDRT Foundation will award nearly $1 million in MDRT member-endorsed grants to more than 100 charitable organizations worldwide. Representing the MDRT Foundation, Jim Farber of Swartzbaugh-Farber & Associates, Inc, presented the grant to Karen Gustafson, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service and Amanda Clark, ARC Program Coordinator for the Ollie Webb Center on March 22 at Ollie Webb’s “Hand In Hand” event with Creighton University volunteers. This Quality of Life grant will provide Jewish Family Service’s Yachad Program and the Ollie Webb Center with the opportunity to work together collaboratively to offer a fitness program to its members. This may include bowling,
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April JCC Gallery by LYNN BATTEN JFO Publicity and Gallery Manager As a painter, Grant Reid pushes personal boundaries to create pieces that are distinctive and revealing. As a photographer he strives to capture a moment in time, a split second, barely visible to the naked eye. The resulting images, whether painted or developed, reflect a stunning documentation of time and process.
CDC and Friedel celebrate Passover
City Canyon Reid has a background in Fine Art and Interior Design, as well as a Masters Degree in Fashion. He has studied in Edinburgh, London and Milan. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. Originally he is from the Jewish community of Glasgow, Scotland. Reid has resided in the United States for six years. He currently works as a freelance photographer and artist and is represented locally at Gallery 72. The public is invited to meet the artist at an Opening Reception on Sunday, April 12 from 2-4 p.m. in the JCC Gallery. This event is free and open to the community.
B’nai Israel Speaker Series
During the week leading up to Passover, both the Pennie Z Davis Childhood Development Center’s four-year-olds and the students of Friedel Jewish Academy had their very own Seders. CDC teachers hosted kids and their families in the Jewish Community Center’s auditorium. Friedel students and staff enjoyed a beautful seder at the school, and received a little bit of help from FJA alumni in the process.
John Bueltel is part owner and head brewer at Keg Creek Brewing Company in Glenwood, IA where he lives with his wife Karen. John was a middle school art teacher in Glenwood for 33 years and retired in 2008 to pursue other adventures. His interests in the fermentation craft came early as he started fermenting wine as a teenager when he was introduced to it by an uncle. In 2006 John started brewing beer in his home with a neighbor friend and the fuse was lit. Along with local friends, this hobby became very serious as they started entering home brewing contests and winning awards for their beers. In 2010, with the encouragement of Vine Street Cellars, a Glenwood winery, he and three other local brewers began work on what is now Keg Creek Brewing Company.
April 10, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 7
Achieving incredible things
2015 Annual Campaign NORM AND SUZY SHELDON, 2015 Annual Campaign Chairs As our Federation 2015 Annual Campaign reaches its conclusion, we think its time for a last message from us, the Campaign chairs. We have been reporting all kinds of numerical updates for the Campaign in a bi-monthly E-newsletter, and last month we published a mid-Campaign donor recognition list in the Jewish Press. And, again today, we have our annual thank you insert, recognizing our incredible donors and showing you how your gifts are allocated throughout the community and around the world. Today we want to share with you a message of community; how when all of us work together, we achieve some incredible things. We are truly amazed at what we see unfolding in front of us. A large percentage of our most dedicated donors chose to make increases this year, and we are very grateful. The JFO is the largest funder of several of our campus agencies and those dollars directly support the programs and services available to all of us. And, because our agencies are each growing and thriving in their own way, it is important to make sure we can sustain their operations. We wish we could visit with each and every donor and thank them for their wonderful support. We would share the Federation story personally, illustrating its many successes; whether through our children, our neighbors, our senior community or those in immediate need, everyone is touched through our generosity. It’s important to us to recognize the Campaign staff and volunteers, without whom we would not have had the support necessary to make this Campaign a reality. Our Chief Development Officer, Marty
Ricks, is as determined and focused as anyone we know. His passion and concern for Jewish Omaha is, quite possibly, unmatched, and we know this is immediately apparent to everyone he calls for a Campaign gift. Farewells are never easy and saying goodbye to our Campaign Director, Sharon Kirshenbaum, was no exception. She was a consummate professional and gave this community twenty years of incredible service. Her devotion to helping others was well known to all who worked and volunteered with her, and she will be missed. We were fortunate to have Steve Levinger join the team mid-Campaign this year. He is a quick study who brings energy and ideas to the table at a rapid fire pace. We have no doubt our Annual Campaign will benefit greatly with his hands-on approach. To the Federation staff who provided their expertise, creativity and specific talents – Julee Katzman, Sherrie Saag, Margie Utesch and Tammy Johnson – the Campaign was so much better with your participation. To all our volunteers, especially those who made dozens of calls during our numerous telethons, thank you for your time and talents. We wouldn’t be the community we are without you. As we look towards next year, our staff remains committed to truly understanding and meeting our community’s needs. We all embrace the opportunity to have conversations with you. So we will close by thanking all of you, once again, for your support and for joining with us to make this a great Campaign year. Thank you for taking our calls, for listening to us and for caring so much about our Jewish community.
Snowbirds Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.
A 40-year-old cookbook resurfaces by SYBIL KAPLAN In the 1970’s when I made aliyah, I soon discovered Israel was a bit behind the U.S. and when one rented an apartment, chances were you would not find a stove but two burners instead. I also discovered most of my friends rented apartments with the same problem, so someone introduced me to a gadget looking like an angel food cake pan with a lid and holes to release the heat and a base to place on a burner with the lidded pot on top. It had been used in Israel for many years. It was called a wonder pot. I soon wrote a cookbook called, The Wonders of a Wonder Pot, Cooking in Israel
Without an Oven which, to my surprise, became a best seller among students, new immigrants and people on sabbaticals, as well as those who loved the nostalgia. Over the past few years, it has somehow resurfaced and I began receiving letters asking for copies of the 40year-old cookbook. After depleting the supply Barry and I brought with us, I decided recently to have it reprinted and it is available. Anyone in the US wanting a copy can now have one for $25 including postage; those in Israel can have one for 100 NIS. For more details, email me at syb1023 @aol.com.
South Street Temple to celebrate 130th anniversary The 130th Anniversary Committee of Lincoln’s South Street Temple invites all former Temple members, Confirmands, and B’nai Mitzvot celebrants to join us for our gala Anniversary Celebration Weekend, May 15-17. We need to have your contact
information to send you the details. Please write or e-mail the Temple to be included in our mailing if you have not already heard from us. South Street Temple, 2061 So. 20th, Lincoln 68502 or office@southstreettemple.org.
Summer Intern The Jewish Press is looking for a summer intern.
If you are currently attending college, are between the ages of 18 and 24, and want to become more involved in our community, this is your chance.
If you are interested, please send your resume and cover letter to avandekamp@jewishomaha.org. We can’t wait to meet you!
8 | The Jewish Press | April 10, 2015
Friedel sends students on to District Speech Contest by CLAUDIA SHERMAN learn about effective speaking strategies.” they got more options than he does! Friedel Jewish Academy Shmuel Aaron Shyken’s speech covered the landmark, Fort Some of the landmark topics originated from overseas. Representing “the freedom of our democracy” and “the McHenry, “built between 1799 and 1802.” Francis Scott Key, Abby Kohll, a sixth grader, chose to talk about England’s place where the president lives and works and where impor- explained Shumel Aaron, “started writing poetry during a Buckingham Place, official home of Queen Elizabeth II. The tant decisions are made for our country,” said Bradley battle at Fort McHenry “while watching the flag swaying in sixth grader pointed out that the palace has “77 rooms, Berman, a fifth grader at Friedel Jewish Academy, 40,000 light bulbs, and 800 staff from housekeep“the White House is pretty cool, but do you know ers to clockmakers.” what would make it even cooler? If the White “Mount Vesuvius erupted with a big explosion,” House could fly?” according to fifth grader Ari Finkelstein. “It buried Well, according to Bradley, “we have a flying the city of Pompeii, Italy in volcanic ash... and was White House. It is called Air Force One” and lost and forgotten for 17 centuries.” “when people see Air Force One, they see the Daniel Denenberg, a sixth grader, who was a majesty and the power of America. When Air regional winner of the Modern Woodmen Speech Force One lands in a foreign country, people know Contest last year, discussed the Belasco Theatre in America has arrived.” Bradley researched the hisNew York City. David Belasco himself “wrote, protory and symbolism of Air Force One for a speech duced, or directed more than 100 Broadway plays.” he gave at his school on March 27 in front of a Although Belasco died in 1931, “the theatre was crowd of fellow students, parents and other relarumored to be haunted by his ghost,” Danny tives, Friedel teachers and staff in the school comremarked. mons area. He was participating in the Modern Other students who participated in the speech Woodmen of America’s annual speech contest for contest were fifth graders Phoenix Mavropoulos fifth through eighth graders across the nation. and Evelyn Smith, and sixth graders Rebecca Friedel has been participating in the speech conDenenberg, David Kay, Rachel Kricsfeld, Leora test since 1989, the school year Denise Bennett, McNamara, Matan Shapiro, and Almog Zinman. the fifth and sixth grade general studies teacher, Daniel Denenberg took first place again this year. began at the Jewish Academy. She “jumped at the Rebecca Denenberg was given second place honDaniel Denenberg, left, Rebecca Denenberg, teacher Denise Bennett, and Rachel chance to participate” in the contest, because “I ors followed by Rachel Kricsfeld who came in Kricsfeld were the winners in this year’s Modern Woodmen of America speech conthink public speaking is an important talent to third. All the contestants were awarded a certifitest at Friedel Jewish Academy. develop. Plus most of these students go on to have cate and a pin from the Modern Woodmen of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. This is great practice.” the wind. A few days later, the poem was printed and later America. Daniel and Rebecca will compete in the district This year’s theme, “An Interesting Landmark,” was under- that year, it became known as The Star Spangled Banner.” contest on Monday, April 20 at St. Philip Neri School. The taken by 17 fifth and sixth graders at Friedel who planned, Born in Baltimore where Fort McHenry is located, Shmuel top two speakers from the district contest go on to researched, organized, and practiced presenting their Aaron said he visited it as a little boy. “It became the official state/regional competition. Then one champion’s speech is speeches. “Public speaking is a common fear,” noted American anthem in 1931,” the fifth grader added. video taped and sent to nationals. Judges from Modern Bennett. But “if they find out now that they can do it, and do Known as the “Gateway to the West,” the St. Louis Woodmen’s national headquarters choose the top winners. it well, they may be confident and successful at their bar or Gateway Arch was the subject of fifth grader Ethan Last year, Daniel won at the state level. He was the fourth bat mitzvah, in future classes, and when public speaking for Finkelstein’s speech. The Arch “is the tallest manmade U.S. Friedel student to take the state honor following Jacob their future jobs or leadership roles.” monument” and “the second tallest free-standing monu- Katzman in 1994, Elissa Wiener in 2008, and Sarah Kutler in Fifth grader Leah Gurock based her speech on the Statue ment in the world after the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France,” he 2009. of Liberty which she said was dedicated on October 28, said. “It was “built as a monument to the third president, Judges this year were Dr. Steve Caplan, a research scientist 1886. “The statue was built in four pieces in France. When Thomas Jefferson, and all the pioneers who settled in St. who speaks publicly and is father of two former Friedel stuthey brought her over to the United States, it took over a year Louis, the gateway to the west,” Ethan explained. dents; Diane Coffin who has a degree in oral interpretation to put her all together.” Leah pointed out that it’s “important In his speech, Jake Lucoff paid tribute to Lambeau Field of and has taught public speaking at the post-secondary level to know about the Statue of Liberty, because she represents Green Bay Wisconsin, home of the Green Bay Packers pro- and now works for the Omaha Symphony; and John our history and how the nation is built from the immigrants fessional football team. The fifth grader actually “went to Rosman judging for the third time and who performs in sevwho traveled here.” When Leah saw the statue from an air- Lambeau Field for the first time in second grade.” eral choirs and at a number of local theaters. plane, she pointed it out to her parents. “It looked really Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, was the focus of amazing from up above and reminded me that I am free.” Gavin Smith’s speech. It “was going to be a lighthouse and Bennett explained that much of the speech project is done then in 1861, it became a military fort and prison,” explained at home. “Then, in the weeks leading to the contest, we the sixth grader. He said Alcatraz was a federal prison from spend much more time at school revising the speeches and 1933 to 1963 until it became “a national historic landmark” B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS practicing the presentations. We have lessons in organiza- in 1986, since then, drawing “about 5,000 tourists each day.” Speaker to be announced for Wednesday, April 15, tion, we work on the writing and grammar, we discuss ways He observed that when Alcatraz was a prison, inmates even noon. For more information or to be placed on the email to effectively introduce and conclude the speeches, and we got a menu for breakfast. “Can you believe that?” He claimed list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.
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April 10, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 9
Point of view
American Jewish Press Association Award Winner
Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008
The Newman internship: Frequently asked questions by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor It is that time of year: Passover is almost gone, we’re enjoying nicer weather (including the incidental thunderstorm) and planting our gardens. At the Jewish Press, it means we take a deep breath now that we are done with the Passover edition, and we start looking for our summer intern. The Jewish Press summer internship is something we have done at this agency for many years, but I know you may have a few questions. I’ll try to answer some of them. Who? The internship is meant for a high school or college student; you have to be at least 16 years old, and you don’t need to be a journalism major. What you do need is a love for writing and research, and an honest desire to work within and for our Jewish community. It helps if you’re not shy, and it helps if you’re someone who is eager to embrace new experiences. What? An internship at the Jewish Press can mean many things. It will, however, always include writing for this paper and doing a certain amount of research. In addition, any intern who comes to us will have to mingle, and interact with people who work in different departments. Working at the Press means being aware of what everyone else needs, and you will meet a great many people (we’ll test you to make sure you remember everyone’s name). How? The Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation has funded our internship for many years, and we are incredibly grateful they do. Not only do we say thank you to Murray and Sharee themselves, but also to Trustees Jeff Kirshenbaum, Lisa Lewis, Jamie Friedland, Danielle
Gordman and Jay Lerner. They understand how important it is to continuously find and create new opportunities for the young members in our community to be engaged in Jewish life. And, on that note:
Why? Much has to happen before an intern gets his or her spot at our agency. I need to write the grant, we advertise for apllications, read the resumes and decide who to hire. A new email account and computer need to be set up by the people in IT and the intern needs to be added to the payroll. He or she needs to have a badge made, attend certain training and meet with the Human Resource Department. And all of that happens before the real work begins. The reason we do all that is because it is worth it. For all the lamenting nationwide about young Jews who
are not involved, it is amazing what happens when we create opportunities that go beyond the bare minimum. We all know it is important for our kids to go to religious school, study for their B’nai Mitzvah, and get a sense of who they are as Jews. But somewhere along the way, they grow up and start to think for themselves. Let’s face it, they are not simply taking everything their parents and teachers and rabbis tell them and leave it at that. At least, I hope not. What is supposed to happen during the teen and college years is that learning becomes personal. Not simply “what does it mean to be Jewish?” but: “What does it mean to be Jewish for me?” It’s a question everyone has to answer for her- or himself, and it’s not always an easy process. And, as a community, we can’t feed our kids the answers. What we can do, however, is create a context in which to explore, learn, research, fall and get back up. We can create places to meet, things to volunteer for, opportunities to grow Jewishly. It is important, when we create those opportunities, that we don’t treat our young people as passive consumers. If we do that, we’re really not getting anywhere. Instead, we can challenge them and offer them ways to be active, find their voice, fullfill a role that fits them. The Jewish Press Internship is anything but glamourous, but it does offer a chance to be part of something bigger. It also fosters relationships, and a sense of community beyond the B’nai Mitzvah. What’s more: the Press intern gets to experience some of that growth in the public square, on the pages of our community’s paper, and we all get to enjoy it. That may sound scary (if you’re the intern!) but it’s actually very exciting. So, stay tuned, and look forward to some interesting content this summer!
My son’s encounter with anti-Jewish hatred by MICHAEL DOUGLAS (JTA) -- Last summer our family went to southern Europe on holiday. During our stay at a hotel, our son Dylan went to the swimming pool. A short time later he came running back to the room, upset. A man at the pool had started hurling insults at him. My first instinct was to ask, “Were you misbehaving?” “No,” Dylan told me through his tears. I stared at him. And suddenly I had an awful realization of what might have caused the man’s outrage: Dylan was wearing a Star of David. After calming him down, I went to the pool and asked the attendants to point out the man who had yelled at him. We talked. It was not a pleasant discussion. Afterward, I sat down with my son and said: “Dylan, you just had your first taste of anti-Semitism.” My father, Kirk Douglas, born Issur Danielovitch, is Jewish. My mother, Diana, is not. I had no formal religious upbringing from either of them, and the two kids I have with Catherine Zeta-Jones are like me, growing up with one parent who is Jewish and one who is not. Several years ago Dylan, through his friends, developed a deep connection to Judaism, and when he started going to Hebrew school and studying for his bar mitzvah, I began to reconnect with the religion of my father. While some Jews believe that not having a Jewish mother makes me not Jewish, I have learned the hard way that those who hate do not make such fine distinctions. Dylan’s experience reminded me of my first encounter with anti-Semitism, in high school. A friend saw someone Jewish walk by, and with no provocation he confidently told me: “Michael, all Jews cheat in business.” “What are you talking about?” I said. “Michael, come on,” he replied. “Everyone knows that.” With little knowledge of what it meant to be a Jew, I found
(Founded in 1920) Andrew Ruback President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Thierry Ndjike Bookkeeper
Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, President-Elect; Scott Farkas, Sandy Friedman, Paul Gerber, Debbie Kricsfeld, David Kotok, Paul Rabinovitz, and Nancy Wolf. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishoma ha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’
myself passionately defending the Jewish people. Now, half a century later, I have to defend my son. Anti-Semitism, I’ve seen, is like a disease that goes dormant, flaring up with the next political trigger. In my opinion there are three reasons anti-Semitism is appearing now with renewed vigilance. The first is that historically, it always grows more virulent whenever and wherever the economy is bad. In a time when income disparity is growing, when hundreds of millions of people live in abject poverty, some find Jews to be a convenient scapegoat rather than looking at the real source of their problems. A second root cause of anti-Semitism derives from an irrational and misplaced hatred of Israel. Far too many people see Israel as an apartheid state and blame the people of an entire religion for what, in truth, are internal national-policy decisions. Does anyone really believe that the innocent victims in that kosher shop in Paris and at that bar mitzvah in Denmark had anything to do with Israeli-Palestinian policies or the building of settlements 2,000 miles away? The third reason is simple demographics. Europe is now home to 25 million to 30 million Muslims, twice the world’s entire Jewish population. Within any religious community that large, there will always be an extremist fringe, people who are radicalized and driven with hatred, while rejecting what all religions need to preach -- respect, tolerance and love. We’re now seeing the amplified effects of that small, radicalized element. With the Internet, its virus of hatred can now speed from nation to nation, helping fuel Europe’s new epidemic of anti-Semitism. It is time for each of us to speak up against this hate. Speaking up is the responsibility of our political leaders. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has made it clear that anti-Semitism violates the morals and spirit of France and that violent anti-Semitic acts are a crime against all French
people that must be confronted, combated and stopped. He challenged his nation to tell the world: Without its Jews, France would no longer be France. Speaking up is the responsibility of our religious leaders, and Pope Francis has used his powerful voice to make his position and that of the Catholic Church clear, saying: “It’s a contradiction that a Christian is anti-Semitic. His roots are Jewish. Let anti-Semitism be banished from the heart and life of every man and every woman.” In New York, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is well-known for building a bridge to the Jewish community. His words and actions and the pope’s are evidence of the reconciliation between two major religions, an inspiring example of how a past full of persecution and embedded hostility can be overcome. It’s also the responsibility of regular citizens to take action. In Oslo, members of the Muslim community joined their fellow Norwegians to form a ring of peace at a local synagogue. Such actions give me hope -- they send a message that together, we can stand up to hatred of the Jewish people. So that is our challenge in 2015, and all of us must take it up. Because if we confront anti-Semitism whenever we see it, if we combat it individually and as a society, and use whatever platform we have to denounce it, we can stop the spread of this madness. My son is strong. He is fortunate to live in a country where anti-Semitism is rare. But now he too has learned of the dangers that he as a Jew must face. It’s a lesson that I wish I didn’t have to teach him; a lesson I hope he will never have to teach his children. Michael Douglas, award-winning actor/producer and United Nations messenger of peace, received the 2015 Genesis Prize, which honors “exceptional people whose values and achievements will inspire the next generation of Jews.” This article first appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid per-
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material and photos to: avandekamp @jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jew ishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.”
sonal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de KampWright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.
10 | The Jewish Press | April 10, 2015
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 |712.322.4705 email: BnaiIsraelCouncilBluffs@gmail.com Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on April 10, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, John Bueltel, Head of Brewer Keg Creek Brewing Company on Discovering Craft Beer and Beer Tasting. Oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! Larry Blass will officiate at all of the Speaker Series Services. For information on our historic synagogue, please contact any of our board members: Mark Eveloff, Rick Katelman, Carole Lainof, Marty Ricks, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf and Phil Wolf.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: Office closed for Passover; Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning Service and Yizkor, 9:30 a.m.; Mini Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Passover Kiddush Lunch, following services; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.; Passover ends, 8:43 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: BESTT Classes and Picture Day, 9:45 a.m.; Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:15 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m.; Habonim (K-2nd Grade and Parents) Lunch, 12:15 p.m., Beth El and Swimming at the JCC. TUESDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. WEDNESDAY: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; Yom HaShoah Teen Program, 5:30 p.m.; Community Yom HaShoah Program, 7 p.m. at Beth El. Our Shabbat Tables, Friday, April 17, in congregants’ homes. Shabbat’s Cool (for Grades 3-7), Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. followed by lunch. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.orthodoxomaha.org Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Yizkor, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 7 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:43 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Midrash, 9:45 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Scholar’s Club for Boys, 3:30 p.m.; Teen Class,
Bat Mitzvah Harper Mattie Gordman, daughter of Danielle and Jeff Gordman, will become a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, April 18, at Temple Israel. Harper is a seventh-grade Honor Roll student at Westside Middle School. Her interests include Westside Connection show choir, tennis, reading, playing piano and drawing. She loves Camp Sabra and spending time with her family and friends. For her mitzvah project, Harper played games with and read to children at Completely Kids. She also collected books to donate a new library to Completely Kids. She collected close to 1,000 books. She has a brother, Zev. Grandparents are Linda Stark and the late Walter Stark, and Linda and Jerry Gordman. Great-grandfather is Stanley Lewin.
Memorial Service There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Irvin Yaffe (1918-2015) on Sunday, April 19, 2-4 p.m. at The Westside Room in the Westside Community Conference Center, 3534 S. 108th Street, Omaha.
7 p.m. TUESDAY: Wrestling with Rashi Class, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Weiss. THURSDAY: Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m.; Med Center Chaburah, 1 p.m.; Scholar’s Club for Girls, 3:30 p.m.; Avot UBanim-Parent Child Learning, 7 p.m.; Jews and Brews, 8:30 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Yizkor, 11 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha, 7 p.m.; Pesach Farewell-Moshiach Fesast, 7:30 p.m.; Ma’ariv and Havdalah, 8:40 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 8:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. RSVP by calling the office. WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office; The Development of the Oral Tradition, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office. In memory of Forrest Krutter -- Efrayim Menachem Ben Avraham Yitzchak. THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. RSVP by emailing Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@unmc.edu. All programs are open to the entire community.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: Sha-ba-ba-bat Family Dinner and Service, 6 p.m.; Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Pam Ganz. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan - Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High Lite, 9:45 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Confirmation Class, 10:15 a.m. at Meadowlark; Leonard Pitts speaking in Lincoln, 1–5:30 p.m. about Eating (Jim) Crow: Divisions Created by Race & Poverty at the Interfaith Peacemaking Workshop at First United Methodist Church, 2723 North 50th Street; Nebraska State Holocaust Commemoration, 3 p.m. in the State Capitol Rotunda with keynote speaker, Dr. Ari Kohen, UNL Associate Professor and grandchild of Holocaust Survivors. WEDNESDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. THURSDAY: Yom HaShoah Memorial Service, 5 p.m. at Wyuka Cemetery (in case of rain, the location will be Tifereth Israel.) ADULT EDUCATION THURSDAY: Beginning Hebrew, 6 p.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 7 p.m. Jewish Book Club, Sunday, April 19, 1 p.m. at Zoya Zeman’s and will discuss The Lawgiver (different and provoking using traditional Jewish comedy) by Herman Wouk. President’s Office Hours, Sunday Mornings, 10 a.m.–noon at SST. If you have any Temple business, programs, or new ideas you would like to discuss with Temple president David Weisser, please email him at president@southstreettemple. org or call him at 402.513.7697, or stop by the Temple between 10 a.m. and noon on Sundays when religious school is in session.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road | Offutt AFB, NE 68123 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Passover Service, 9:15 a.m., led by Andy Greenberg. SATURDAY: Passover Service with Yizkor, 9:15 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.
Candlelighting Friday, April 10, 7:41 p.m.
TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Concluding Passover Service and Yizkor, 10:30 a.m. If you would like to have the names of your loved ones read at the concluding service, please contact Temple Israel, 402.556.6536 or mweidner@templeisraelomaha.com, with the names; Shabbat Comes to the You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel; Third Grade Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Brown and Cantor Shermet; Third Grade Family Potluck Dinner, 7 p.m. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Torah and Haftarah Reader: Miles Remer; Joint JYG & OTYG Scavenger Hunt in the Old Market, 12:30 p.m. This event is open to all 7th-12th graders. Meet at Temple Israel at 12:20 p.m. The bus will leave at 12:30 p.m. and take us downtown. Cost is $15 and includes lunch, ice cream at Ted & Wally’s and bus ride. The bus will return to Temple Israel shortly before 4:30 p.m. For more details, please contact Director of Youth Engagement Nikki Flatowicz, 402.312.9822 or nflatowicz@templeis raelomaha.com. SUNDAY: Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.; Beginning Prayer Study, 10 a.m. with Elyce Azriel; Torah Chanting -- We would love you have you chant!, 10 a.m.; Baby Brunch for Children under One year and their parents, 10:30 a.m. There will be toys and a safe place for your babies to play on the floor. For more information, please contact Director of Lifelong Learning Debbie Massarano, dmassarano@temple israelomaha.com or 402-556-6536; Non-Jews Raising Jewish Children, 11 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel; Temple Israel Book Club, 11 a.m.; Grades 3-6 Grade Youth Activity, noon; OTYG Board Meeting, noon at Temple Israel; Religious School Steering Committee Meeting, noon. TUESDAY: Board of Trustees Retreat, 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; Yom HaShoah Service, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El; Family Night, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m. THURSDAY: The Gifts of German Jewry, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Brown.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: Tifereth Israel will be closed; Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Pesach Service and Yizkor, 9 a.m. Please note there will be no Kiddush Luncheon after services; Pesach Ends at 8:44 p.m. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan - Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High Lite, 9:45 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Haftorah Reading class, 11-11:50 a.m.; Nebraska State Holocaust Commemoration, 3 p.m. in the State Capitol Rotunda. WEDNESDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. THURSDAY: Holocaust Memorial Service, 5 p.m. at Wyuka Cemetery (in case of rain, the location will be Tifereth Israel.) Community Adult education session, Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. Al and Lea Weiss speak about their journey to Cuba which focused on the Jewish community in Cuba at Tifereth Israel.
To submit announcements: B’nai Mitzvah announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 (with photos we will scan and return). Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: jpress@jewishomaha.org. Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.
Pulverent e
April 10, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 11
In memoriam LOUISE ABRAHAMSON Edith Louise “Louise” Abrahamson passed away at age 95. Services were held March 30 at Beth El Synagogue. She was preceded by her husband Norman A. Abrahamson, and son Steve Abrahamson. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Hugh Abrahamson and Ann Ebsen; granddaughters: Jill and Nicole Abrahamson and Jessica and Elizabeth Ebsen; greatgrandchildren: Asa Abrahamson, Aliyah Rose Racette and Ben Ebsen; sisters-in-law, Lucille Epstein, Harriet Miller and Helen Abrahamson; brother-in-law, Harold Abrahamson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. She was born in Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Sept. 7, 1919. After working first with her husband in family-owned businesses and also creating her own businesses, Louise retired in 1989 from her position as Executive Assistant to Father Hupp and Father Peter at Boys Town. Post-retirement, Louise founded Louise’s Clothesline at Boys Town, providing new clothes and accessories at no cost for the Boys Town youth. She worked hard for 18 years as manager of the Clothesline, creating strong relationships with worldwide recognized vendors and volunteers, and providing countless donations for children at Boys Town sites throughout the country. Louise’s work at Boys Town established her as a strong part of its community, including having the organization declare May 1, 2007 as “Louise Abrahamson Day”. A past president of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, she was profiled in the Feb. 10, 2006, issue of the Jewish Press for her contributions to the Jewish community and greater Omaha. Throughout her life Louise was active in politics, passionate about Nebraska football and her family, and a committed volunteer for many causes that were close to her heart. Memorials may be made to the Jewish Historical Society or the organization of your choice.
SHELDON A. BERNSTEIN Sheldon A. Bernstein passed away on March 30 at age 92 in Carlsbad, CA. Services were held April 2 at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home following a private interment at Fisher Farm Cemetery, South 42nd Street, Bellevue, NE. He is survived by his loving wife, Lorrie; daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Howard Kooper, Sandy and Greg Meyerson, and daughter, Sue Lipsman; step-daughter and step-son-in-law, Nikki and Ron Grosso, and step-daughter, Sunni Epstein; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was born August 15, 1922 in Omaha, NE. Sheldon
graduated from Central High School and Creighton University. He was a WWII veteran earning two purple hearts and was a prisoner of war. Sheldon was a successful CPA in Omaha and Los Angeles. Memorials may be made to the Sheldon A. and Lorrie Bernstein Endowment (for the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home) at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, 333 So. 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154.
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Paul Davies passed away on March 24 at age 78. Services were held March 27 in the Chapel at Beth El Cemetery, 84th and L Streets. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Benjamin Davies. He survived by his wife, Judy; daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Jeff West, and son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Monet Davies; grandchildren: Tommy and Matthew West, Claranne and Polly Davies. He was a member of the Armed Forces, serving in both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army. Memorials may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home or the Visiting Nurse Association.
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NORMAN SMEERIN Former Omahan Norman Smeerin of Glenview, IL passed away on March 27 at age 92. Services were held on March 30 at Temple Israel with Rabbi Aryeh Azriel officiating. He was preceded in death by his first wife Temette Wright; parents, Ida and Rubin Smeerin; sister and brother-in-law, Florence and Lloyd Bank, brothers-in-law, Hammond Chaffetz and George Wright; father-in-law, Jay Wright and step-son-in-law, Bill Laytin. He is survived by his second wife, Shirlee Smeerin; daughters and sons-in-law, Jaynie Smeerin and Bob Slutzky, and Laurie and Loren Kabb; grandchildren: Jonathan and Zachary Kabb; sisters, Sara Chaffetz and Carolyn Wright; mother-in-law, Tillie Wright; step-daughter, Nancy Laytin, and step-daughter and step-son-in-law, Catherine Davis and David Erck; step-grandfather of their children and grandchildren; treasured uncle, relative and friend of many. Norman proudly served as an Air Force pilot of a B24 in WWII. He was owner of Norman’s Shoe Centers in Omaha and surrounding cities. His second career was in commercial real estate, also in Omaha. Memorials may be made in his name to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, 323 S. 132nd St, Omaha, NE 68154 or Bright Futures Fund c/o Vi at the Glen, 2500 Indigo Lane, Glenview, IL 60026.
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Search on for Israeli feared kidnapped near Hebron by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israeli forces are searching for a Beersheba man who went missing near Hebron and is feared kidnapped. The Israeli Defense Forces has launched a massive manhunt for the man, identified as Nav Asraf, 22, and set up checkpoints on nearby roads. Three Israeli teens were kidnapped and killed last summer near the same West Bank area. Asraf reportedly entered the Palestinian village of Beit Anun, near Hebron, to get help after he and a friend became stranded with a flat tire. The friend called police after 4 p.m. to report Asraf missing, according to reports. But Haaretz reported that an unnamed police source said that there was no flat tire, leading to questions about why the men stopped. The friend was taken in for questioning after questions arose about his story, Ynet reported. An Israeli security source said “as more time passes, the
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Federation Newsletter starts Today! The Jewish Federation of Omaha announces its new bimonthly news source, “Jewish Omaha”, an electronic newsletter that will cover community news, campus events and global Jewish news of interest to our local community. The inaugural edition is out today! To make sure you receive a copy in your in box, please contact Sherrie Saag, Communications, ssaag@jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6429.
VINTAGE VILLAGE Antique Mall, 2425 O Street, Lincoln, 402-742-0063. Storewide Sale! April 1-15, 10-7 Daily. 56 Dealers. New selections arrive daily! Antiques, collectibles, jewelry. RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT Outlet; new & used restaurant equipment. See www.Chillmasters.biz, call 1-800-526-7105, or stop by our Showroom to see what’s in stock for you! Sioux City, IA. CITY ADMINISTRATOR position. City of Aurora, NE, is accepting applications for city administrator. Population 4,500. Located in south-central Nebraska, Aurora is a forward-looking, proactive community with mayor/council form of government. City council has six members elected by wards and mayor is elected at large. City administrator reports directly to mayor. Community has excellent school system, progressive library, civic center, parks and recreation facilities, golf course, museum, and nationally recognized science center. Aurora seeks city administrator with appropriate educational background and/or professional work experience. Private sector experience will be considered. City offers an excellent benefit package; employee pension and voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans; four weeks vacation; sick leave and holidays; salary DOQ. City is an EOE. Applications accepted until 5 p.m. April 24, 2015. Interested parties should send letter of application, resume and a complete City of Aurora application form to City Administrator Search Committee, 905 13th St., Aurora, NE 68818-2409. Applications available at www.cityofaurora.org SEEKING HEAD groundskeeper for golf course in Schuyler, NE. No experience needed, will train the right person. For more information call 402-352-2900. MID-AMERICA FEEDYARD, Ohiowa, NE, hiring full-time feed truck driver & Yard Crew! Competitive hourly wage with benefits. Drug, background tests required. 402-295-2216. Apply: www.midamerica-feedyard.com. LAYNE SEEKING pump installers, laborers. Travel requirement and clean driving record. Layne offers benefits and wages $15 to $18 per hour. E-mail 1072@layne.com or 308-234-1914. BUTLER TRANSPORT Your Partner in Excellence. CDL Class A drivers needed. Sign on bonus! All miles paid. 1-800-528-7825 or www.butlertransport.com. EXPERIENCED CDL-A Driver residing east of US 281, South operations, high % drop and hook, out and back dispatch, paper logs, 3,000 miles/week. Lanny at DTS, 402-699-3465, www.trukrrnebraska.com. NEBRASKA HUNTING land wanted! Earn thousands on your land by leasing the hunting rights. Free evaluation & info packet. Liability coverage included. The experts at Base Camp Leasing have been bringing landowners & hunters together since 1999. E-mail: info@basecampleasing.com. Call: 866-309-1507, basecampleasing.com. WANTED: OLD Mercedes 190sl, 280sl, Jaguar XKE, or pre-1972 foreign Sportscar/convertible. Any Condition! I come with trailer & funds. Fair Offers! Finders fee! Mike, 520-977-1110.
12 | The Jewish Press | April 10, 2015
In Boulder, new JCC marries goats and Judaism by URIEL HEILMAN BOULDER, Colo. (JTA) --– There’s not much to see yet at the site of this city’s new Jewish community center, just some trailers and earth-moving equipment covered in snow. But the first inhabitants are already on site living in a pair of sheds. Though it’s cold, they don’t complain much. That’s because they’re goats and chickens. With five goats and some 40 hens, the animal farm is a key part of the $27 million center slated to open on 12 acres in the summer of 2016. Already operating as a co-op for fresh eggs and goat’s milk, the farm is also one of the elements that makes this JCC highly unusual. Here are a few others: The JCC will have no full-service gym or indoor swimming pool -- or membership fees. “I think the whole idea of what Jewish engagement is in the 21st century has been changing,” Jonathan Lev, executive director of the Boulder JCC, told JTA. “We want to capture what people love and overlay it with Jewish values. For many, coming to the farm and milking goats and taking care of the chickens is their Jewish engagement.” Boulder’s JCC, founded in 2005 and currently located on a smaller site elsewhere in town, is focused on its preschool and community programming rather than on membership. The institution is guided by four pillars reflective of values dear to local Jews and Boulder residents generally: food and wellness; innovation; arts and culture; and early childhood education. Its $2.7 million operating budget is covered by program fees and fundraising. For the innovation pillar, the JCC launched a Jewish overnight entrepreneurship camp last summer, Camp Inc., in Steamboat Springs. For arts and culture, Lev cites Boulder’s annual Jewish film festival, now in its third year and held every March.
On early childhood education, the JCC’s popular preschool is one of four getting special support from the Rose Community Foundation, the Union for Reform Judaism
Some 40 hens and five goats are part of the co-op at the future site of the Boulder JCC, where Jonathan Lev is executive director and Becca Weaver is farm and sustainabiliCredit: Uriel Heilman ty director. and the JCC Association to increase enrollment and build stronger Jewish connections. The farm is the anchor of the food and wellness piece. Some 20 family members already belong to the co-op, taking shifts about once a week to clean poop, refresh the feed and milk the goats by hand. In exchange, they receive fresh milk and eggs. The farm, which may be the only Jewish animal husbandry co-op in the country, is also open to occasional milkers and the wider Jewish community. “The farm is this idea of connecting people, having them engage in something meaningful and building community around it,” said Lev, 36, who at the time of
his hire in 2010 was the youngest JCC director in the country -- as well as the fledgling JCC’s first full-time employee. “Twenty-first century Judaism and Jewish life is determined by the connection points people make. People are searching for meaning. And they’re finding it in unique ways.” Last year, when one of the goats went into labor on Purim, holiday revelers in costume came to watch the birth, naming the newborn Vashti after the Persian queen from the Book of Esther. Now three of the five goats are pregnant, with due dates around Passover -- perfect timing to turn the milk into cheese by Shavuot, a holiday traditionally focused on dairy foods. “Getting to go out for a visit with the animals is really great therapy for the average person,” said Becca Weaver, the JCC’s farm and sustainability director. Weaver’s parents’ family charity, the Oreg Foundation, donated the land on which the JCC is being built. “The JCC is the first recipient of a land grant from the foundation,” said Julie Shaffer, executive director of the Oreg Foundation. “It’s Oreg Foundation’s hope that there will be other community institutions that will come forward and want to be on the campus.” The new JCC capital campaign needs $3 million more to reach its $27 million goal. When it’s complete, the JCC will house a preschool, social hall, meeting rooms, yoga studio, sports fields, playgrounds and summer camp facilities. Two acres will be devoted to the farm, which will include greens, strawberries, raspberries, apples, plums and beehives. There will be handicapped-accessible raised beds, an outdoor kitchen and child-friendly education space. The veggies will be organic and excess food will be donated to the Boulder Food Rescue, which collects donations by bicycle to avoid using fossil fuels. In keeping with the focus on
Yom Ha’Atzmaut F E S T I V A L
Thursday, April 23rd Children’s Carnival 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | JCC Pavilion Carnival games, prizes, inflatables, face painting, airbrush tattoo artist, magician, and balloon artist for kids of all ages! Food from Star Catering will be available for purchase..
15th Annual B’nai B’rith Jewish Trivia Contest 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. | JCC Auditorium Please RSVP before April 22nd. FREE pizza will be served to participants. For more information please e-mail bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org or call (402) 334-6443.
Sokolof Lecture & Reception With Ari Shavit The Ruth and Phil Sokolof Lecture Series is sponsored by the Sokolof Family Foundation and the UNO Schwalb Center
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. | JCC Theater Ari Shavit is an Israeli reporter and author. Shavit is considered one of the most influential journalists writing about the Middle East today and is a lead commentator on Israeli public television. His latest book, My Promised Land: A Personal Journey Through the History of Israel, is a deeply personal narrative history of the State of Israel. A dessert reception, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, will follow the lecture. This program is made possible with the support of the following Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Funds:
Herbert Goldsten Trust, Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Foundation, & the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation.
Ari Shavit
high environmental standards, the JCC building will be LEED-certified. It’s all very Boulder -- a university town of some 100,000 with the social consciousness of Park Slope, Brooklyn, the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley, and the farming and ranching sensibility of the West. Boulder’s Jewish community is relatively young and growing quickly. The most recent Jewish demographic survey, in 2007, found about 13,000 Jews living in 7,600 Jewish households in Boulder County, located about 40 minutes northwest of Denver. “A lot of these people have zero affiliation or interest in Jewish community,” Lev said. “But the possibility of engagement is tremendous because of the large Jewish population.” Half a century ago, there was just one synagogue in town. But the Jewish presence grew considerably as technology companies moved to the city, the university grew and Boulder’s location in the foothills of the Rockies drew outdoors enthusiasts. Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, the father of the Jewish Renewal movement, moved here in 1995. The University of Colorado-Boulder launched a Jewish studies program in 2007 and now has a kosher eatery. Boulder has two Jewish Renewal synagogues, a couple of Chabad centers and one Reform, one Orthodox and one Conservative shul. An online Jewish news site, Boulder Jewish News, was launched in 2009. At the JCC, the budget has more than doubled since Lev came on in 2010, and he said 4,000 people were reached last year through programming. “The JCC provides so many portals into Jewish life,” Oreg’s Shaffer said. “This community offered Jonathan opportunities for professional growth, and he’s paying us back many times over for his vision of what this community can be.”